Beyoncé is Making Her Voice Count
By: Talia Scott
Queen Bey is at again. This time around she is gracefully covering Vogue’s September issue.
Beyoncé’s September 2018 cover of Vogue. Tyler Mitchell/Vogue
Beyoncé’s latest Vogue cover marked a historic moment in the magazine’s history. The cover photographer, Tyler Mitchell, is the first African American to shoot a cover for the magazine in its 126-year history. At 23-years-old, Mitchell has become one of the youngest photographers to shoot a cover for the magazine. In the accompanying article, Beyoncé tells writer Clover Hope,
“Until there is a mosaic of perspectives coming from different ethnicities behind the lens, we will continue to have a narrow approach and view of what the world actually looks like.”
On one cover (above), the star makes a statement about her blackness as she wears a dress with Pan-African colors. Such a statement is powerful given the publication’s position and history in an industry with long-standing issues with representation, diversity, and inclusion.
In this issue, Vogue published an extraordinarily personal and touching first-person piece from Beyoncé’s perspective. Beyoncé talks about race, racism, motherhood, body positivity and her legacy, all so honestly and unapologetically. “Right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be,” she says.
Through her words, we hear her truths, in an unprecedented manner without editorial constraints. Vogue’s editor in chief, Anna Wintour, reportedly granted Beyoncé full editorial control over her cover of Vogue -- something Wintour had never done before. Beyoncé’s power and influence over this cover spark more questions about the future of Vogue. Will Vogue use this issue to continue to promote cultural change and will Vogue work to be more inclusive of talented young black photographers and other creatives?
